Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou hailed advancing Japan-Taiwan ties Thursday and expressed hope that a "special partnership" relationship can help further two-way ties on the back of the major breakthroughs achieved since his inauguration in May 2008. Ma made the remarks when receiving a delegation at the Presidential Office of dietmen from Japan's lower house led by Nakatsugawa Hirosato of the Democratic Party of Japan.
The group was the first of its kind to visit Taiwan since Japan's power transfer in September.
Describing overall relations between the two countries as having become even closer and stronger since he took office, Ma said Taiwan and Japan must seek to more effectively reinforce and enhance their exchanges due to their geographic proximity and historical links.
Following his inauguration, Ma designated Taiwan-Japan ties as a "special partnership" and concrete improvement in bilateral relations has been made over the past 17 months. Apart from an implementation of a reciprocal working holiday program for students of the two countries from June last year, the president said, Taiwan is set to open a cultural center in Tokyo and an office in Sapporo late this month, while four daily direct Taipei-Tokyo flights will be resumed next year.
(By Flor Wang)
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